Civilians will soon be helping to keep the peace in the French Quarter.
The New Orleans City Council okayed an arrangement with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau to start the program called “NOLA Patrol.”
The New Orleans Advocate reports a voluntary hotel tax will raise $1.6 million this year and $2.3 million next year to pay for the service.
The money will fund unarmed civilian patrols to enforce traffic, zoning and other neighborhood rules. It’s hoped they will give more time for regular police officers to handle more serious matters.
The patrols are expected to be on duty before the next Carnival season.